“What?” Fury’s eyebrows shot up.
“It’s a human saying,” Breeze explained. She pointed a thumb at Shadow. “It means we have made a major mistake. Our Beauty resents being classified as a Gift Female and she’s curious about him.”
“I don’t understand.”
Shadow was with Fury on that one. He was confused too. “Curious how?”
“Stay out of this, toga boy,” Breeze muttered, dismissing Shadow. “Are you hearing what I’m putting down, Fury?”
“No. Could you speak plainly? Not all of us love human slang and I haven’t even had coffee or donuts this morning.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “Here’s blunt for you. Beauty is curious about males. As in I think she resents the protective bubble we’ve formed around her to keep them from offering to share sex. We have a Gift Female who might be ready to experiment a little with having physical contact with males.” She jerked her thumb at Shadow again. “Get it? We never thought any of them would want to be touched but we should have.”
Shadow felt about as stunned as Fury looked. He hoped his mouth hadn’t fallen open the way the other male’s had. He sealed his lips tightly together to make sure. His mind began to work again and he forced the air from his lungs.
“She didn’t try to initiate sex with me.”
Breeze turned her head to stare at him. “Are you sure?”
“I’d have noticed.”
She approached him until only inches separated them. “She’s not a typical female, toga boy.” Her hands suddenly flattened on his chest and dug in enough to make him growl out a warning not to hurt him. “This is how I’d come at you. I’d knock you on your ass if that’s what it took to get my point across of what I wanted from you but she’s not me.” Her hands released him quickly and she spun to face Fury. “Her just asking him to stay with her might be her version of attempting it. They’ve never dealt with our males. Maybe humans enjoy timid hints and those are the only males she’s known. Toga boy here might have missed those.”
“Stop calling me that,” Shadow demanded. “She spoke to me and never said anything that implied she was interested in sharing sex.”
Breeze looked at him over her shoulder. “What did she talk about?”
“Her captivity.” He paused. “She shared some details about the male who had her and her life.”
“See?” The canine female threw up her hands. “There you go. Human women babble about their pasts when they are around a hot guy they are interested in. I watch their movies and that’s a dead giveaway.” She frowned at Fury. “What should we do? Give him to her? It won’t be hard for her to unwrap him with the outfit he’s wearing.”
Shadow staggered a little. “What? Give me to her? No!”
Fury had the audacity to laugh. “True. It’s just a little knot at the waist.” He ran his fingers through his hair and his expression changed to a grim one as he watched Breeze. “Is that what you suggest? We send him to her to appease her curiosity? I think we should find a male who has a lot of experience with human females. They are vastly different from Species and so are Gifts. He might scare her, and hell, maybe we should consider one of the task force members. Maybe a human would be better in this case. I know a few of them very well and I’ll consult with Tiger and Brass. We could find a very mild one whom we could trust to back off if she changes her mind.”
The idea of someone from the task force touching Beauty sent anger coursing through Shadow. “Humans abused her and you want to send one to her bed? No!”
“Fury has a good point though,” Breeze sighed. “Our males are aggressive. It’s not as if we have any Gift males. We could send Smiley to her. He’s primate and very mellow. He’s also smaller than toga boy and won’t crush her. Primates like sex face-to-face too. I’m sure she’d appreciate that over being mounted from behind. I can’t see her taking the swelling and locking together afterward very well either. She’s little.”
“So is my Ellie and she handles me fine.” Fury glared.
“I’m not dogging on canine males. Hello! I’m canine too.” Breeze rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying she’s Gift. She might not appreciate a fully turned-on Species with the canine traits.” She glanced at Shadow. “Toga boy is canine. I’d suggest a feline but again—the aggressive traits.”
“I said, stop calling me that,” Shadow growled, losing his temper. “Are you certain she wants to share sex? She didn’t give me that impression and I slept with her on my chest all night.”
“Maybe he’s right. We might be reading too much into this. Talk to her, Breeze. Maybe she’s just confused or it’s a passing thing.” Fury sounded hopeful. “We should investigate this more but if that’s the case, I insist on it being a Species male. Shadow has a point. Humans abused her.”
“You do that. It’s my job to protect my females and see to their needs.” Breeze glared at him. “She feels enslaved by our rules regarding Gift Females. She said so. I’ll go over your head if I have to and Justice owes me big-time. I refuse to back down.”
Fury regarded her warily. “What do you have in mind?”
Breeze turned her head to narrow her gaze at Shadow. He could almost see her mind working, plotting something.
“No.” He vehemently shook his head. “I’m not the male you want to use as some experiment to see if she wants to share sex.” The idea sent him into a panic. “I was abused too and it’s been too long since I shared sex with a female. I avoid it.”
“Even better.” Breeze smiled. “You won’t initiate it and you’d be sensitive to her trauma.” She glanced at Fury. “Are you thinking what I am?”
“Shit,” Fury groaned. “I think so.”
“What?” Shadow glanced between the two Species staring at him with calculated looks. “No. Whatever you are thinking, no!”
Chapter Four
“I refuse.” Shadow glared at Brass.
The male watched him silently for long seconds. “Fine. The Gift Female showed an interest in you and you’re the only male she’s had contact with but I’m sure she’ll do fine with a stranger. Is that the stance you’re taking? Think about it long and hard.”
“Haven’t I been used as an experiment enough?”
“She’s Gift. Wouldn’t you lay down your life to protect her? They are our weakest females and helpless to defend themselves.”
“Of course I would die if that’s what it took to keep her safe.”
“You feel secure that all males would take care with her? You’re putting her in someone else’s care if you refuse to escort her to Reservation and live alongside her. What if they don’t take her feelings into consideration as much as you would? What if they press her into doing more than she is comfortable with if they become really aroused? You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
Shadow glared at his friend, guessing he’d come to Homeland just to be the one to talk him into agreeing to Breeze’s plan. “Of course not. You’re using guilt tactics?”
Broad shoulders shrugged. “She knows you. I’m aware of your history. She’s not human so you shouldn’t have adverse reactions being near her but you know all about having the will of your body taken from your control. You share that common bond with her. I trust that you would be hypersensitive to her feelings and not pressure her into anything. How many males have that background?”
“We’ve all been forced to share sex at times due to Mercile attempting to breed children from us.”
“You were drugged and strapped to sterile machines while your seed was forced from your body. It was a form of rape. The Gift Female was forced to endure a human putting his hands on her without regard. Neither of you had other Species to comfort you or make those events less traumatic. I read your report about what happened the night you spent with her. She allowed you to hold her and she admitted she’d never been kindly touched. You could have pushed for more physical contact but you didn’t. You are perfect for this assignment. She may not wish to share sex but at least she’ll
feel secure enough with you to attempt it if she does. You’re the right male for her.”
“I’m not the right male for anyone.” Shadow hated to admit weakness. “I’m deeply flawed inside, Brass. I suffer nightmares often, cold sweats, and I’m not prepared to share sex with anyone. I’ve had females offer but I have refused. I keep having flashbacks to the time I was held inside that warehouse.”
“Wrath got past it.”
“He’s a stronger male than I am.”
“Bullshit.” Brass softly growled, flashing irritation in his steady gaze. “He is like a brother to you because you’re so close and have similar traits. Do I need to call him here to speak to you? He and Lauren are enjoying their first days inside their new home in seclusion. Do you need his words instead of mine to convince you that you should be the one to tend the Gift Female? What would he say?”
“Shit.” Shadow knew when he was beaten. “He’d tell me to go because I couldn’t live with it if someone else pressured her into doing something she wasn’t ready for when I could have prevented it.”
“Exactly. You would be less inclined to mistake any signals she makes and be certain of what she wants before you act. Now pack a few weeks of clothing and be ready to fly out in thirty minutes. We’re out of here then.”
“I haven’t taken the time to settle into my apartment yet. I haven’t unpacked.”
“Good.” Brass drew closer. “You are the right male for this, Shadow. I’d worry if another male were to spend time with a Gift Female. This is new territory. We have no idea what to expect but we want them to thrive with freedom the way we do. She’s fragile emotionally as well as physically. You won’t forget that.”
“That is true.” He couldn’t argue with Brass’ logic.
“Just be yourself and all will be fine.”
He wasn’t so sure of that but the idea of Beauty being secluded with another male to allow her the freedom to pursue possible physical relations with him made Shadow want to snarl. She was too innocent and someone could take advantage of that.
* * * * *
“What is Reservation like?” Excitement and worry warred within Beauty as she watched Breeze pack her clothing in a duffle bag. “I’ve heard there are miles of trees and lots of open space.”
“There are both of those things.” Breeze grinned, meeting her gaze. “You will enjoy it. You’re being sent to a cabin near a river.” The smile faded. “You must not wade into the water. Do you understand? The current is strong. There’s a small area that is safe. Your escort will show you. It’s an inlet where the current doesn’t reach and the water is only about waist high.”
“Your waist or mine?”
Breeze chuckled. “Mine but you aren’t that short. It won’t be higher than your breasts.”
“I don’t know how to swim.”
“I guessed that. None of us knew but we learned.”
“Will my escort teach me how to swim too?”
“I’m unsure if he knows how. Just stay away from the main body of the river.” The taller Species closed the bag. “There you go. You’re loaded up with enough outfits to last you a few weeks. Getting away will be good for you and you will know real freedom. The Wild Zone is just the place. The inhabitants were warned to stay away. Not that they’d harm you.”
“Do they know I’m Gift?” Beauty hated the idea of being stared upon with pity. She got it a lot when she was in the general population and caught the attention of some of the men who dared glance her way.
“Anyone who sees you knows. Your size gives that away but yes, they are aware and that’s why they will stay out of your territory.”
“Oh.” Disappointment hit.
“What is wrong?” Breeze’s dark gaze sharpened, not missing anything.
“Nothing.”
“Talk to me right now.”
“I’d hoped going there would change things. I wanted to speak to men and get to know some of them.”
“The Wild Zone is filled with our antisocial Species but they are aware they might be frightening for you if you were to run into them.”
“Explain.” Beauty perched on her bed.
“Some were considered failures by Mercile Industries. Their facial differences can be more severe than ours.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Their animal traits are more pronounced. They look more animal than human. That’s what I’m trying to say.” Breeze reached up and rubbed her nose. “Ours are slightly wider than a typical human’s but some of the Wild Zone males can have flatter features, their mouths shaped like whatever animal DNA they were mixed with, and their hair texture isn’t always as human.”
“Are they not allowed to live at Homeland?”
“They can live anywhere they wish but they prefer to keep away from humans entirely. They get stared at and it’s uncomfortable for them. They were also treated less kindly at Mercile so they really detest humans. We had it rough but they had it much worse. They aren’t prone to wanting to live with others and enjoy their solitude.”
“Have you ever met any of them?”
“Of course.” Breeze smiled again. “I’ve spent a lot of time at Reservation. I’ve even shared sex with one of them.”
“What was that like?”
Breeze hoisted the heavy bag to drop the strap on her shoulder. “Interesting. Let me just say that their animal traits are also very close to the surface of their personalities. You have no reason to fear them though. They were spoken to by Valiant and Leo. Both of those males rule the Wild Zone.”
“They are like Justice here at Homeland?”
“They are feline mixes but I wouldn’t say they are similar to Justice in other ways. Justice is social and gets along well with others. Valiant and Leo are, well, different. Let’s just say that when they say something our males listen. Justice earns respect. Valiant and Leo are very frightening.”
“Are there any women Wild Zone residents?”
“Just Tammy. She’s Valiant’s human mate.”
“I meant antisocial women with more animalistic traits.”
“None of them survived.” Breeze looked grim. “If they ever existed at all. None were found when we were freed. Mercile either didn’t make what they considered mistakes with females or they had them killed.” Breeze spun away to head for the bedroom door. “Sometimes I wish Kit would be sent there. She’s a thorn in my side. I’d love for her to be someone else’s problem. Let’s go.”
Beauty slid off the bed to follow. “What is Kit’s problem?”
“I have no idea. She refuses to talk to me about why she is turning so mean.” Breeze paused by the front door and held her gaze. “Are you ready for an adventure? You’ll have fun and hopefully you’ll enjoy this vacation.”
“Who is my escort?”
“Shadow volunteered.” Amusement showed on her features. “You know him. Is that all right?”
Her heart raced. “He asked to be the one to go with me? Really?”
“Is that going to be a problem? We figured you’d be comfortable sharing a cabin with him. There are two bedrooms.”
“That’s fine.” Beauty tried to hide her excitement at seeing him again. “He isn’t angry at me for getting him into trouble?”
“He was never in trouble. The males were just concerned for your safety. Everyone is aware that he didn’t harm you. It’s all good.” She paused. “Do you want to talk first?”
“About what?”
Breeze lowered the bag to the floor and pressed her back against the door, staring at Beauty. “Sex.”
Her cheeks turned really warm. “No.”
“You’re going away with Shadow. He won’t offer to share sex with you but he’s still male. I’m going to give you advice whether you ask for it or not. Are you ready?”
Embarrassment filled her that the other woman could read her so well. She nodded sharply, more than willing to listen to anything Breeze had to say.
“Okay. I’ll assume you’re cu
rious but I’m guessing any sexual experience you’ve had wasn’t enjoyable.”
Beauty fought back tears as memories surfaced. “No,” she whispered.
Anger glinted in dark-brown eyes. “I wish I could kill that bastard who had you under his thumb but that’s another day when we catch him once he returns to the States. It’s not that way when you share sex with someone who cares about you and who wants you to enjoy the experience. Our males do both. They are different from humans, which is a good thing. A Species male would never hurt you. They growl and are aggressive but saying no to them means stop. They will. Am I clear? If he’s lost in passion then just box his ears. That’s opening your hands and hitting his ears on both sides at once. You’ll have his attention. A male would never strike you back. Repeat the word ‘no’ and he’ll retreat immediately.”
It stunned Beauty, thinking about hitting one of the big men. They were fierce. “Are you sure this ear boxing won’t make a man really angry?”
“Oh, it will, but they’d never harm a female. I promise you that. That’s another huge difference between our males and the humans you met when you were in captivity. They would never find honor in harming someone they knew would be defenseless against their strength. They will skulk away to calm but return in a better mood.” She drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Shadow won’t initiate sex with you but you could go after him. Do you want me to tell you how to go about that?”
Beauty nodded.
“Strip naked. Tell him you wish to share sex. Be blunt. That way he can’t mistake it for anything else.”
“What if he doesn’t want me?”
Breeze laughed as all the tension faded from her features. “He’s male, hon. You’re beautiful. You were given that name for a reason. Shadow isn’t a moron or blind. He’ll want you. And remember this. It’s important.”
“Okay.”
“He’s more afraid of you than you are of him. Trust me on that.”
Doubt assailed her. “I believe you’re wrong.”